April 20, 2003. Six amphibious assault ships are steaming together in the Persian Gulf. They were deployed to the area as part of the build-up of forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Visible are (from left to right): USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6), USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3), USS TARAWA, USS BATAAN (LHD 5), USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) , and the USS BOXER (LHD 4).